Assessment of Arsenic and Iron Levels in Tube Wells of Government Run Institutions in a Block of Murshidabad District, West Bengal

Abstract

Background: Murshidabad in West Bengal is considered as an endemic district for arsenic contaminated ground water. Iron is also a common inorganic material present in ground water which have ill effects on the body if beyond permissible limits. The present study was conducted to find out the level of arsenic and iron in the water samples in Government run institutions in one block of Murshidabad district. Methodology: In this descriptive observational study, water sample reports of 26 Government run institutions in an arsenic affected block were analysed. WHO and Bureau of Indian Standard permissible and acceptable values of both materials were considered for analysis. Results: As per Indian standards, only 26.9% of water samples in the study block were within acceptable limits for arsenic. If WHO recommended international standards were considered then more than 80% water samples were not safe as drinking water. In case of iron, only 7.7% water samples were within desirable limit as per Indian standards. While considering both arsenic and iron, only 1 water sample was seen to be within desirable limit. Conclusion: In spite of ongoing arsenic mitigation activity in West Bengal the arsenic level was found to be above permissible level in the Govt run tube wells. Awareness generation for repeated testing of arsenic, use of arsenic removal method at household level and use of safe water for both drinking and cooking at community level should be stressed upon.